Mail-bag lock



Sept. 4, 1928; 1,683,294

' A. E. LOW

MAIL BAG LOCK Filed Jan. 22, 1927 z Sheets-Sheet 1 A5 29 1 -12 Q .44 I I 15 luvsu'row. ARcHlE 5. LOW.

ATTYS Sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,294

A. E. LOW

MAIL BAG LOCK Filed Jan. 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- ARCHIE. E. LOW.

l atented Sept. 4, 1%8.

UNl'l'E STATE resent ARCHIE EDGAR Low, or orrevra, on'raieio, CANAijA.

. MAIL-BAG LOCK.

Application filed January 22, 3927. Serial no. 1623271.

This invention relates to improvements in locks and more particularly to grommet locks provided with sealing as well as automatic locking means. i I

The objects of the invention are to provide a lock of this description of light and durable construction that will be practically proof against tampering.

A further object is to provide a combined locking and sealing member particularly adapted for securing mail bags and the like and having integral therewith a label holder.

With the foregoing and other objects in view. hereinafter more fully referred to, the essential features of my improved lock are the combination with an automatic lock mechanism of a locking bolt adapted to engage with said mechanism and protrud ng therebeyond to carry a seal, aprotecting plate for the lock mechanism and means operable from without the lock for unlocking the bolt.

Referring now to the drawings in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved lock Figure 2 is a plan View of the lock with the outside cover removed showing the baffle plate in place Figure 3 is a plan view w th the cover ant baiiie plate removed showing the locking mechanism I L Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the lock applied to a mail bag Figure 5 is a perspective view of the looking bolt showing the seal carrying means in the extended end thereof Figure 6 is a perspective detail of the unlockin ke Figiire is a section on the line 7-7 Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which a preferred example of my.

improved lock is illustrated in connection with a mail bag, A designates the look as a whole and B a mail bag creased at the top, as illustrated in Figure 4; in closed position.

The look A comprises a metal base plate 10 of any suitable form, the lower end of which is bent upwardly at 11 to form in combination with the sides similarly bent as at 12 and 13, a slip label holder. acent the top in the base plate 10 is a bolt opening 14 below which are pivotally mounted at 15 and 16, dogs 17 and 18 hooked at their upper ends to substantially surround and, register with the opening 14 in the plate; These dogs are springactuated by means of spring members 19 andj20 consisting of strips o'f wire wound midway of their lengthen the pins 21and 22 formed integral with the plate 10, theloose-ends of these wires being normally retained in position by the cover 23 and contacting as-at 24- with the dogsto exert pressure inwardly thereon whereby the dogs are ai'itomatically and normally spring I actuated in closed, gripping position; The dog 17 is formedwith a protruding bent lug 2:3 for purposes hereii'iaftermore fully described. 7 v a i U Over the mechanism as above' described is designed to securely fit'aibaffie plate 26- pro} videdwith a bolt opening 26 to IBgister with the bolt opening 14 in the platelO. opening 27 in the baffle plate is also provided to engage with the lug 25.'- A key opening 28 is further provided registering with a stem 29 on the plate 10 and which engages with a key 30f This key is formed with wards 31 and and adapted when inserted to engage. with the stem 29 andsimultaneously when turned with the doglS and the lug 25 to opera-to the dogs 17 and 18 to release the bolt 33. w w r I v illustrated i'n Figures 4; and 5, 33 is a locking bolt of any suitable length and adapted in the example of my invention here shown to extend through the pleated or creased top of a mail-bag and is provided at one .end with a plate 34 of well known construction to which is connected in any well known manner the strap member 35 in turn rigidly connected at 36 to the mail bag. The bolt 33 extends through the opening 14; to be automatically gipped by the spring actuated dogs 17 and 18 through the groove 37 therebetween, this taking place with a click. Beyond this groove 37 the bolt is extended and tapered at the extremity as at 38 adjacent to which it is provided with an orifice 39 to engage with a seal 40, as illustrated in Figure 4. It will thus be seen that the locking bolt 33 is designed to extend completely through the lock and to protrude beyond the lock cover 23 as at i1 to carry a seal thereby providing increased protection for the contents of a mail bag or the like, a safe-guard against tampering. f

This seal means in combination with the baffle plate 26 within the lock casing are pro- 7 tective features of simple and durable construction that'add materially to the effectiveness of the lock without increasing the cost of construction.

For securing the bafile plate 26 over the lock mechanism spaced orifices are formed adjacent the periphery adapted to engage with pins or the like 42 formed integral with the base plate 10 and registering with said I For retaining the locking bolt rigid and avoiding any chance of lts being disengaged when locked by lateral or other movement I'provide flanges 37 around the orifices 14 and 26 in the base plate and ba flie plate respectively.

In operation it will be found from the foregoing description the locking bolt, as disclosed in the present example of my invention, is passed through the top of the mail bag or the like and then into the opening 14 where it is automatically locked by engagement with the spring actuated locking dogs. The end of the bolt passes through the lock and extending therebeyond and-is sealed.

To unlock the device the seal has to be broken, and the key inserted and turned, releasing the dogs from their automatic engagement with the bolt and permitting the latter to be Withdrawn.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of my invention, within the scope of the claims, constructed Without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification and drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

WVhat I claim as my invention 1. In a mail bag lock, the combination with an apertured casing havingspringac- 'tuated locking dogs pivotally mounted therein, of a locking bolt engaging with the easing apertures and protruding therebeyond, said bolt being formed adjacent the protruding end with a groove to automatically engage with said dogs on the bolt being inserted through the casing, the protruding end of the bolt being cone-shaped and formed with an opening therein.

2. A mail bagv lock comprising in combination, arhousing having a key opening therein and a bolt opening therein, a base plate having a'bolt opening therein, a pair of spring actuated pivotally mounted dogs on the base plate normally retained in a closed position, a key engaging lug on one of said dogs, a superimposed baflle plate for the dogs rigidly secured to the base plate and provided with a bolt opening and a key opening, respectively, and a third opening for engagement with said lug 'whereby on the lug being engaged by a key the dogs are automatically spread or opened to an unlocked position, a seal carrying locking bolt having a groove therein, andextending through the base plate and the housing to protrude beyond the housing and to be engaged in looking position by the locking dogs.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set myhand.

ARCHIE EDGAR LOW; 

